In biblical terms, the concept of "waver" often relates to a lack of faith or stability in one's beliefs or actions. The term is used to describe a state of indecision or doubt, particularly in one's relationship with God. This entry explores the biblical understanding of wavering, its implications, and related scriptural references.

Biblical Usage and Meaning

The idea of wavering is frequently associated with doubt and instability. In the original languages of the Bible, words translated as "waver" can imply a sense of being tossed about or being double-minded. This concept is often contrasted with the steadfastness and unwavering faith that believers are encouraged to exhibit.

Key Scriptural References

1. James 1:6-8 : "But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." This passage highlights the dangers of wavering in faith, likening it to the instability of a wave. It underscores the importance of approaching God with a firm and unwavering belief.

2. Hebrews 10:23 : "Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." While the term "waver" is not explicitly used here, the exhortation to hold resolutely implies the opposite of wavering. Believers are encouraged to maintain a firm grip on their hope and faith, trusting in the faithfulness of God.

3. 1 Kings 18:21 : "Elijah approached all the people and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.' But the people did not answer a word." This verse captures the essence of wavering as indecision between two paths. Elijah challenges the Israelites to commit fully to the Lord rather than vacillating between God and false idols.

Theological Implications

Wavering is often seen as a spiritual weakness that can hinder one's relationship with God. It reflects a lack of trust and confidence in God's promises and character. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a steadfast faith, rooted in the assurance of God's faithfulness and sovereignty.

Practical Application

For Christians, the call to avoid wavering is a call to deepen one's faith and trust in God. This involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers to strengthen one's spiritual foundation. By doing so, believers can resist the temptation to doubt and remain steadfast in their walk with God.

Conclusion

While wavering is a natural human tendency, the Bible provides guidance and encouragement for believers to overcome it. Through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's promises, Christians are called to stand firm and unwavering in their commitment to the Lord.1. (v. i.) To play or move to and fro; to move one way and the other; hence, to totter; to reel; to swing; to flutter.

2. (v. i.) To be unsettled in opinion; to vacillate; to be undetermined; to fluctuate; as, to water in judgment.

3. (n.) A sapling left standing in a fallen wood.

1365b. distazo -- to duplicate, waver, doubt
... 1365a, 1365b. distazo. 1366 . to duplicate, waver, doubt. Transliteration:
distazo Short Definition: doubt. Word Origin from dis ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1365b.htm - 5k

1365. distazo -- twenty thousand
... twenty thousand. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: distazo Phonetic Spelling:
(dis-tad'-zo) Short Definition: I waver, doubt Definition: I waver, doubt ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1365.htm - 6k

1252. diakrino -- to distinguish, to judge
... ree'-no) Short Definition: I distinguish, discern, doubt, hesitate Definition: I
separate, distinguish, discern one thing from another; I doubt, hesitate, waver ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1252.htm - 9k

4531. saleuo -- to agitate, shake, by ext. to cast down
... From salos; to waver, ie Agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy;
figuratively, to disturb, incite -- move, shake (together), which can(-not) be ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4531.htm - 7k

5128. nua -- to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter
... nua. 5129 . to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter. Transliteration: nua Phonetic
Spelling: (noo'-ah) Short Definition: wander. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5128.htm - 6k

5110. nud -- to move to and fro, wander, flutter, show grief
... 1), grieve (1), grieving (1), mourn (4), shake (2), shaken (1), sympathize (1),
sympathy (1), totters (1), wander (2), wandered (1), wanderer (2), waver (1). ...
/hebrew/5110.htm - 6k

3782. kashal -- to stumble, stagger, totter
... A primitive root; to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the
ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall -- bereave (from ...
/hebrew/3782.htm - 6k

4131. mot -- to totter, shake, slip
... A primitive root; to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall -- be carried,
cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, X exceedingly, fall(-ing down), be ...
/hebrew/4131.htm - 6k

4571. maad -- to slip, slide, totter, shake
... make to shake, slide, slip. A primitive root; to waver -- make to shake,
slide, slip. 4570, 4571. maad. 4572 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4571.htm - 6k

6328. puq -- to reel, totter
... root Definition to reel, totter NASB Word Usage totter (2). stumble, move. A primitive
root; to waver -- stumble, move. 6327b, 6328. puq. 6329 . ...
/hebrew/6328.htm - 5k

In Order that no one through Observing the Outward Part Should ...
... The Book Concerning the Mysteries. Chapter IX. In order that no one through
observing the outward part should waver in faith? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix in order that.htm

A Word to the Wavering Ones
... You would suppose that even the most ignorant child of God would know without telling
that this sort of experience is all wrong, and that to waver in one's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 12 a word to.htm

From the Twenty-First and Twenty-Second Chapters.
... I say, in respect of the square city, he shows forth the united multitude
of the saints, in whom the faith could by no means waver. ...
/.../from the twenty-first and twenty-second.htm

Of Prayer
... to love and pray. They should not waver now to this and now to that, but
rather abide in rest and endless peace. Full mickle it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter vii of prayer.htm

He Refutes the Opinion of the Manich??ans as to Two Kinds of Minds ...
... Supposing, then, one of us should deliberate, and through the conflict of his two
wills should waver whether he should go to the theatre or to our church ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter x he refutes the opinion.htm

The First Christian Martyr
... had been the face of an angel." Many who beheld this light trembled and veiled their
faces, but the stubborn unbelief and prejudice of the rulers did not waver ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 10 the first christian.htm

Anschar, Apostle of the North.
... such a call. Yea, with all my strength, I desire to go thither, and no man
will make me waver in this purpose.". The most distinguished ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/anschar apostle of the north.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... Private Christians waver between the results of independent thought and of early
education, undecided whether to approve or condemn; while extremists take ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

Treatise i. On the Unity of the Church.
... He must of necessity waver and wander, and, caught away by a spirit of error, like
dust which is shaken by the wind, be blown about; and he will make no ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise i on the unity.htm

Progress of Calvinism
... Later on he began to waver about his career in life, and without abandoning entirely
his hopes of becoming an ecclesiastic he turned his attention to law in ...
/.../chapter iii progress of calvinism.htm

Waver (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Waver (8 Occurrences). ... for what didst thou waver?' (YLT).
Matthew 28:17 and having seen him, they bowed to him, but some did waver. ...
/w/waver.htm - 9k

Stagger (20 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To begin to doubt and waver in purposes; to become less confident or
determined; to hesitate. 4. (vt) To cause to reel or totter. ...
/s/stagger.htm - 13k

Unbelief (16 Occurrences)
... Romans 4:20 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn't waver through unbelief,
but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS ...
/u/unbelief.htm - 12k

Laid (552 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus, having stretched forth the hand, laid hold
of him, and saith to him, 'Little faith! for what didst thou waver?' (YLT). ...
/l/laid.htm - 35k

Wave-offerings (1 Occurrence)
Wave-offerings. Wave-offering, Wave-offerings. Waver . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Wave-offering, Wave-offerings. Waver . ...
/w/wave-offerings.htm - 6k

Wave (65 Occurrences)
... undulate. 3. (vi) To be moved to and fro as a signal. 4. (vi) To fluctuate;
to waver; to be in an unsettled state; to vacillate. 5 ...
/w/wave.htm - 30k

Wavered (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Waver. Multi-Version Concordance
Wavered (2 Occurrences). Romans 4:20 yet, looking unto ...
/w/wavered.htm - 7k

Fugitive (12 Occurrences)
... fu'-ji-tiv (paliT, from palaT, "to escape"; na`, from nua`, "to waver"; nophel,
from naphal, "to fall"; bariach, beriach and mibhrach, from barach, "to flee ...
/f/fugitive.htm - 11k

Totter (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To shake; to reel; to lean; to waver. Multi-Version Concordance Totter
(9 Occurrences). Psalms 46:6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. ...
/t/totter.htm - 8k

Regarding (33 Occurrences)
... Romans 4:20 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn't waver through unbelief,
but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, (See NIV). ...
/r/regarding.htm - 16k

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Waver: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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